The Career Blog

25 Reasons Why You Failed the Phone Interview

By: Alice Tutunjian | Published on: December 07, 2016 | 2 minute read

The phone interview is usually the first step in the interview cycle. The employer takes this opportunity to quality or disqualify candidates in a short and efficient format. If you respond well and empress the recruiter, chances are you will be called back. The subsequent interview will typically be an in-person interview with either an HR representative or hiring manger, or both.

 

There are many reasons why a candidate does not get selected. Some of these reasons may seem trite or innocuous but nonetheless may be the reason why you didn’t get a call back.

 

Sometimes a candidate won’t be called back based on one reason- he lied about his qualifications. Other times, a candidate may be disqualified based on two or more reasons. For example, he made negative remarks about his former boss and at the same time could not provide explanations for gaps in work history.

 

Review and be aware of the following 25 reasons:

  1. Not answering call at agreed upon time
  2. Missing call appointment, then continuously calling interviewer and leaving multiple messages
  3. Making excuses for being late to answer call
  4. Not knowing anything about the company; not remembering why you applied, or for which position
  5. Not having the qualifications company is seeking even though you stated on resume that you did
  6. Lying about general experience
  7. Not providing examples from previous jobs when responding to core competency questions
  8. Focusing too much on one previous company because it has a brand name rather than talking about experience at other companies which are more relevant
  9. Lacking enthusiasm/interest – monotone voice
  10. Sounding distracted and thereby giving impression that you are not taking interview seriously (i.e. asking interviewer to repeat questions, not responding immediately, working on computer in the background)
  11. Not responding to questions asked even when asked multiple times
  12. Responding in unprofessional manner (curt answers; cutting off speaker assuming you know where the question is headed without first listening; not answering question; inappropriate voicemail recording; using language that you would use with a buddy)
  13. Too much background noise/disruptions, interviewer can’t hear you clearly (children screaming, dogs barking, people interrupting)
  14. Asking to put interviewer on hold
  15. Talking incessantly instead of getting to the point
  16. Giving too much information when responding to questions. Offering more information than necessary thereby giving impression that you waste other people’s time because you don’t’ know how to get to the point
  17. Badmouthing former employers or managers
  18. Interviewing at lunch time while at your current job (they think you will do the same if employed by their company)
  19. Rushing interviewer because you have to get back to work or to another appointment
  20. Not asking any questions even though interviewer allocated time for you to do so. If you don’t ask any questions, you may come across as not caring enough or showing any interest. In other words, you are not serious about the opportunity
  21. Call dropping off because you ran out of battery, and employer couldn’t reconnect with you in a timely fashion, and you didn’t call back
  22. Asking interviewer to hold off while you grab a pen; computer or rifle through paperwork to locate job description, etc.
  23. Not being able to explain why your work history is different on LinkedIn vs. your resume (e.g., resume shows that you are currently unemployed, but LinkedIn shows that you are currently employed)
  24. Unable to explain gaps in work history
  25. Poor reasons for leaving former companies

 

Picture of Alice Tutunjian

About the Author - Alice Tutunjian

Alice Tutunjian is a consummate business leader with over 20 years’ experience developing people, establishing processes and enhancing services in high growth environments. She has developed and provided career advice to hundreds of professionals over the course of her career and created top performing teams. She owns a proven reputation as a career coach and job search strategist. Alice holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and MBA from the University of California Irvine. She also has a certificate in Human Resources Management. Her professional experience spans the Information Technology, Engineering, Environmental Consulting, Analytical Testing and Healthcare sectors.

 Tags: Careers, Job Hunting

Say something about this...

Share you thoughts or comments here!